Peripheral Neuropathy Specialist

The Vanguard Clinic

Integrative Medical Clinics located in St. Louis, MO

It’s estimated that 20 million Americans have some type of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that involves nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. The integrative medical and chiropractic doctors at The Vanguard Clinic in St. Louis take a unique and comprehensive approach to treating the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy so you can get relief from the painful symptoms. If you’re tired of living with pain, call to schedule a consultation or use the online booking system.

Peripheral Neuropathy Q & A

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that develops as the result of nerve damage to your peripheral nerves, usually in your hands and feet. As a result of the nerve damage, your peripheral nervous system sends this information to your brain and spinal cord, and you feel pain and discomfort that can be intolerable at times.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Nerve damage can result from a variety of conditions or illnesses including:

Diabetes

Autoimmune diseases

Alcoholism

Infections

Trauma

Tumors

Certain medications

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can affect your sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves. Sensory nerves receive sensations, like feeling the temperature or a vibration on your skin. Motor nerves control muscle movement, and autonomic nerves control heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Peripheral neuropathy can affect each of these systems, depending on the severity of your condition.

Symptoms may include:

Numbness, tingling, or prickling feeling in your feet or hands

Extreme sensitivity to touch

Sharp, throbbing pains

Freezing or burning sensations

Heat intolerance

Sudden changes in blood pressure that cause dizziness

Muscle weakness or paralysis

Difficulty walking, lack of coordination

Digestive and bowel or bladder problems

How is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated?

In some cases, medication is the sole remedy for the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but the integrative medical team at The Vanguard Clinic offer a more holistic, comprehensive approach to treating both your symptoms and the underlying causes of your neuropathy. They treat patients both metabolically as well as neurologically.

First, the doctors perform sensitivity testing to determine if you are sensitive to gluten, milk, eggs, yeast, or soy. If you do have a sensitivity to these foods, it may be making your symptoms even worse by causing inflammation.

The doctors also do bloodwork to assess your blood chemistry, thyroid, adrenal glands, liver, kidney, gut, hormonal, and immune functions. Depending on what is found, other testing may be done. Once they have a comprehensive picture of your overall health and note any issues that are making your peripheral neuropathy symptoms worse, they create a customized treatment plan to address all of these issues, and ultimately, help relieve you of pain.

If you’re tired of living with the painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, let the experts at The Vanguard Clinic help you get relief that works and helps to create a healthier you. Call or schedule an appointment online today.